What Is Diabetes And How Can You Control It?

After eating, the food we eat is broken down into sugar
(glucose) through the process of digestion. This sugar then enters the
bloodstream so that it can be delivered throughout the body, where it is
called blood sugar. Insulin, which helps metabolize blood sugar and is made
in the pancreas, takes blood sugar from the bloodstream and delivers it into
the body's cells. This sugar provides energy to the cells in organs such as
our heart, lungs, and kidneys, which help function properly.

Type 1 diabetes, also called insulin-dependant or juvenile diabetes, occurs
when the pancreas no longer makes insulin.
This is because the immune system becomes confused and begins attacking and
destroying the cells in the pancreas that produce the insulin. Instead of
going into the cells where it is needed, the sugar stays in the blood. Often
beginning in childhood, people with Type 1 diabetes have to take a least one
shot of insulin each day in order to stay alive.

The most common kind of diabetes, which often starts in overweight adults
with high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels, is Type 2 diabetes.
Although the pancreas is usually producing enough insulin in Type 2
diabetes, the body does not use the insulin effectively. In this type of
diabetes, the cells do not respond to the insulin's attempt to enter with
glucose, so in turn, the pancreas produces more and more insulin. Because
the cells do not respond, high levels of glucose build up in the blood,
causing Type 2 diabetes. Once the pancreas senses that the insulin isn't
needed, it eventually stops making it. People with Type 2 diabetes often
need to take prescription drugs to lower there blood sugar levels.

In both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, the sugar stays in the bloodstream
rather than going into the cells where it is needed. After it builds up in
the blood, it causes the cells to be starved for energy and, after a long
time, damage to the blood vessels, nerves, eyes, and kidneys. Type 1
diabetes, which develops very quickly, can be recognized by symptoms
including: frequent urination, intense thirst, increased hunger, and weight
loss. Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, develops very gradually without
any symptoms at all.
Unfortunately, Type 2 diabetes is usually only diagnosed after the
occurrence of a complication, such as circulation problems, nerve damage,
eye problems, or kidney damage.

All of these complications are caused by high blood sugar levels; however,
most of them can be prevented. The longer these blood sugar levels are
elevated, the greater the risk for having complications is. Because high
blood sugar levels damage blood vessels, they eventually become thicker and
less flexible. This causes poor circulation which can complicate healing.
These high blood sugar levels also cause higher levels of fat in the
bloodstream, which clogs and narrows blood vessels. This partial blockage
will deprive the heart of necessary nutrients, resulting in a heart attack,
heart pain, or a stroke. Because high blood sugars can cause nerve damage, a
person with Type 2 diabetes may lose feeling in parts of their body or have
a painful pins-and-needles-like feeling.
Diabetes can also damage and weaken blood vessels in the retina, which
causes them to leak fluid, resulting in a swelling in the eye, which will
blur vision. Since the blood vessels are so fragile, they can break open and
bleed into the eye, which will cause scar tissue to form, along with the
possibility of the retina to break away from the back of the eye, resulting
in visual impairment, or even blindness. The blood vessels in the kidneys
can also be damaged, preventing it from filtering out the body's waste. The
longer the blood sugar levels are left uncontrolled, the greater the amount
of kidney damage that can occur. If the kidney damage isn't stopped, a
kidney transplant or dialysis machine may eventually be needed.

All of these complications can be prevented through vitamins, minerals, and
herbal supplements, which keep people with diabetes healthy and provide
powerful tools that prevent the serious complications from occurring. The
most helpful nutritional supplement should contain powerful vitamins,
minerals, and herbs in a synergistic formula that can lower blood sugars
effectively and provide nutrients which people with diabetes need. The
supplement should be taken twice a day in addition to a high quality
multivitamin. Because a diabetic formula is complementary, it means it
should be taken in addition to your multivitamin, not as a replacement.

Since diabetes is a disease that requires active participation, you must be
aware of your problem and be in control of it as much as possible. If you
use a home glucose monitor to check your blood sugars, you may feel more
comfortable checking your glucose levels more often when you first begin the
diabetic formula supplement. However, you should always follow your doctor's
recommendation as to how often you should check your blood sugar levels.
According to most licensed health care practitioners, a good blood sugar
range for most people with diabetes before a meal is from about 70-150,
ideally between 70 and 120. By taking a supplement formulated especially for
diabetics, your blood sugars should be right where they are recommended.
Successful diabetes management means doing lost of positive things, among
these include visiting your licensed health care practitioner often,
choosing foods wisely and staying active, and taking a diabetic formula
supplement, but remember, this diabetic formula supplement is meant to be an
addition to a healthy diet, not a substitute.

About The Author: Visit VitaNet Health Foods at http://vitanetonline.com/,
VitaNet sells high quality vitamins and herbs at discount prices and name
brands like Source Naturals and Enzymatic Therapy. Please link to this site
when using this article.